SMARTS Program Manager (Public) JOB DESCRIPTION
SMARTS, Students Motivated by the Arts
Updated 08102026
Position Description: The SMARTS Program Manager will work directly with the SMARTS President to creatively design and coordinate day-to-day activities of quality arts education programming with teachers, students, partners, schools, and/or community organizations during and after school. Alongside the supervision and coordination of programming, the Program Manager will contribute as a creative member of the team through teaching, program development, and community engagement. They will actively seek to make new relationships and nurture ongoing ones with community stakeholders, families, and partners.
The SMARTS Program Manager is the face of SMARTS for after-school programming, field trips, and community engagement events. Working along with SMARTS staff they will seek out professional development opportunities and train and mentor SMARTS Community Teaching Artists to remain at the forefront in their disciplines. Full-time minimum 40 hours per week, flexible set schedule based on programming.
POSITION FACTORS:
Decision Making: Team thinking in conjunction with the President and sound judgement with concern for our customers and the organization.
Mental Demand: Attention to detail, strong organizational skills, flexibility, creative problem solving, and ability to synthesize information into the larger picture.
Character of Supervision: Consult with the Education Director and President in the hiring/releasing of Program Teachers/Staff, oversee and evaluate their work. Serve in a leadership role for SMARTS community partners.
Independence: Must be able to work independently and in a group.
Environment: Expected to create an environment where all children and adults are welcome and accepted.
SMARTS PROGRAMMING LEADERSHIP TEAM:
- The SMARTS Education Director and Program Manager work together to provide creative leadership for SMARTS quality arts education public programming and for community engagement events by doing the following:
- Understands and embodies the SMARTS Educational Philosophy see at www.SmartsArtSchool.org/about-us, being able to coach and train teachers to provide instruction consistent with our philosophy and being able to explain to partners, families, and members of the community the difference between other types of education and a SMARTS education in the arts.
- Understand and be able to model best practices for arts teaching and learning and theories of pedagogy and classroom management for PK-12 students, including students who are at-risk or have special needs, such as interdisciplinary arts curriculum, arts integration curriculum, virtual instruction, social emotional learning, and trauma informed care approaches in order to provide professional development for teachers and to help teachers adapt to the culture of instructional methods at partner locations.
- Recruits and co-manages teachers under the guidance of the President and Education Director.
- Assists Education Director in planning and hosting professional development sessions for SMARTS teachers and teachers from local school systems and programs.
- Serves as a liaison to SMARTS families, teachers, and students by communicating with them about upcoming events, classes, and programming issues.
- Must be able to substitute for teachers in all five SMARTS disciplines – visual art, music, dance, theater, and creative writing – in-person or virtual.
- Meets with SMARTS President and Staff when applicable.
- Must follow SMARTS Dress Code and wear SMARTS badge.
PUBLIC PROGRAMMING RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Responsible for operations during programming hours when applicable, managing and supervises day-to-day activities at SMARTS facility, including students, staff members and facility.
- Be a lead decision-maker during hours of programming in SMARTS facility, and engage with students and families, act as a host, build relationships, and assist in managing behavior while families are in the facility.
- Facilitate the development of class offerings, classroom curriculum, and lesson plans following state or national standards, observing instruction, providing feedback, and offering support using a growth mindset.
- Creates public programming schedules in alignment with SMARTS calendar and funding utilizing facility spaces, supplies, resources, Zoom accounts, and moderators.
- Creates catalog and marketing materials for class offerings.
- Schedules teachers for programming and generates contracts along with other necessary documents.
- Manages application and enrollment process for new and current SMARTS’ students for in-person and Virtual SMARTS classes using SMARTS student database and SMARTS web site. Oversee SMARTS student database and updates student profiles regularly.
- Manage all communications with families via in-person, phone, email and text messages using SMARTS database and texting service to market classes.
- Manages Virtual SMARTS class page content for public teachers for virtual classes.
- Manages Student Assistants who assist with programming, data entry and Virtual SMARTS content.
- Works with Staff Assistant Director to oversee Student Assistants’ schedules, and daily job tasks.
- Coordinates SMARTS’ Fall Kick-Off and Art You Can Hear/See student showcase events, engaging students, families, and the community while highlighting student learning and artistic accomplishments.
- Assists with planning and facilitating SMARTS’ annual fundraising events, including Joy of SMARTS and the SMARTS Family Dinner, including coordinating student programming and performances.
- Responsible for information such as writing and verifying contracts required to complete monthly payroll and billing.
- Compiles demographic and attendance data on SMARTS students and qualitative data on student growth and learning activities for reporting purposes in relationship to Public Programming.
- Maintains classrooms, supplies, and equipment and all inventories at SMARTS facility.
- Implements pre/post assessments and assists with program reports and data.
COMMUNITY PROGRAMMING RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Serve as an additional Program Manager and/or teacher when/as needed at community partner locations.
- Assists in referring and connecting students back to SMARTS for Public Programming.
- Engages with Administrators, Site Coordinators, Teachers, and students at partner locations to build relationships, offer support, and explain the SMARTS model.
- Be familiar with community programming schedules and events.
- Observe teachers at partner locations as needed and provide feedback.
Other Functions & Responsibilities: Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree with minimum of five years professional experience in visual art, music, dance, theater, writing, and/or education. Will require a flexible schedule including evenings and weekends. Must have an understanding of basic software packages to include Microsoft Office, Google Drive and a working knowledge of database programs. Valid driver’s license and valid BCI/FBI background check.
Desired Qualifications: Excellent communication, interpersonal, management, writing, and creative skills. Self-motivated, innovative, and team-oriented with the ability to organize, work with others and multi-task. Arts teaching experience in a PK-12 setting in visual art, music, dance, theater and/or creative writing. Educational youth program oversight experience in any field, the arts preferred.
Physical Requirements: Occasional lifting required; must be able to move and transport minimum 20 pounds of programming equipment and supplies.
www.SmartsArtSchool.org
Pay: $40,000.00 - $46,000.00 per year
Education:
Experience:
- Microsoft Office: 1 year (Preferred)
- Program management: 1 year (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
